Pentax 67ii joins the Family

mindthemix · Jun 21, 2013

I was looking for this camera for a few months and I found it as in "new/unused condition"
Everything works as intended but I red about the film advance problem and I'd like to know how to prevent any damage

Any recommendation on using this beauty?

I can't wait to take it on the street and pray for keepers...

Thanks!

rawhead · Jun 21, 2013

What's the film advance problem?? Just shoot a roll and try out the different shutter speeds. When I got my 67II, it looked great but had frame spacing issue, which Pentax repaired for me for ~$300. Since then I haven't had any problems with it period.

destroya · Jun 21, 2013

nice. i saw on e at my local camera store today and drooled over it. was thinking hard about taking it home with me.

do you mind if i ask how much you paid for the body with the meter?

mindthemix · Jun 21, 2013

destroya said:
nice. i saw on e at my local camera store today and drooled over it. was thinking hard about taking it home with me.

do you mind if i ask how much you paid for the body with the meter?

I paid $1,030 for the following items:

- Camera (body and prism) (never used)
- SMC Pentax 67 105mm F/2.4 (new)
- SMC Pentax 67 55mm F/4 (new)
- Flash Pentax AF 400T with two cords (new)
- Cable release (new)
- 77mm HOYA Circular Polarizer (new)
- 77mm HOYA UV filter (new)
- 67mm Tiften UV filter (new)
- Camera Bag Lowepro Stealth Reporter 400AW (like new)
- Genuine Pentax camera strap

It was a sweet deal and I'm extremely happy on how the camera feels on the hands

destroya · Jun 22, 2013

wow thats a great deal. congrats and enjoy

mindthemix · Jun 27, 2013

First roll: Ilford HP5 expired 2006 / Kodak HC-110 @75F Dilution 1:49 - Time: 8 minut

stevebarry · Jun 27, 2013

looking good. Are you hand holding it? If so how do you find the sharpness?

John Wiegerink · Jun 27, 2013

I'd say by the looks of the first roll shots that you're well on your way. I'd love to have a 67II, but since I have a couple of nice 6X7's and money is an object, I'll just have to be happy. Besides, a camera is only a "light-tight box" anyway. What's important is what you stick on that light-tight box. I'll just keep putting my Pentax glass on my old Pentax light-tight boxes, but if I should come by a 67II cheap I might just have to upgrade one of those other light-tight boxes. The nice thing about the 6x7 format and the great Pentax glass is that I have no problem cranking out beautiful 16x20's with very little effort. Of course my Rollei or Hasselblad can too, but that's a different story for another day. I have never compared the 67II to a 67 or 6X7, but some say it's easy to handle and lighter???? Have fun and enjoy your new toy. Oh, great price also! JohnW

sbjornda · Jun 27, 2013

Lovely shots. Which lens? Did you crop much? Thanks for posting.

mindthemix · Jun 28, 2013

stevebarry said:
looking good. Are you hand holding it? If so how do you find the sharpness?

Thanks! all shots handheld. These were my first rolls so having a great time with the P67; didn't use MLU, just frame it and shoot.

mindthemix · Jun 28, 2013

sbjornda said:
Lovely shots. Which lens? Did you crop much? Thanks for posting.

The lens was Pentax 67 105mm F/2.4 and no cropping.

mindthemix · Jun 28, 2013

John Wiegerink said:
I'd say by the looks of the first roll shots that you're well on your way. I'd love to have a 67II, but since I have a couple of nice 6X7's and money is an object, I'll just have to be happy. Besides, a camera is only a "light-tight box" anyway. What's important is what you stick on that light-tight box. I'll just keep putting my Pentax glass on my old Pentax light-tight boxes, but if I should come by a 67II cheap I might just have to upgrade one of those other light-tight boxes. The nice thing about the 6x7 format and the great Pentax glass is that I have no problem cranking out beautiful 16x20's with very little effort. Of course my Rollei or Hasselblad can too, but that's a different story for another day. I have never compared the 67II to a 67 or 6X7, but some say it's easy to handle and lighter???? Have fun and enjoy your new toy. Oh, great price also! JohnW

Thanks for your feedback John! I'm more than happy with the P67, I love my Rolleicord and Olympus OM-1n too but this is a completely different experience. I'm bringing the camera wherever I go. My lovely fatty girlfriend!

Poisson Du Jour · Jun 28, 2013

The film advance "problem" is a weakness of design. It's plastic-against-metal and does wear out over time, albeit not helped by aggressive winding. Pentax makes a point of winding on in one smooth continuous and firm stroke, no jerking or yanking or broken stroke. There are many tiny moving parts in that mechanism and just one needs to break before there is no winding action at all — there is so much interdependence under the skin. Somewhere online is an Engineering and Service Manual for the Pentax 6x7 and 67 bodies which gives you an idea what service folk were up against. The winding mechanism weakness is purported to have been addressed in the modernised (67ii) bodies. As with everything, how you treat it will determine how well you service it. It's a nice kit indeed. The 55mm f4 is the absolute standout in what you have. The 67ii will likely make a better job of exposures shot with a polariser; with the 6x7 and 67 bodies, polarised shots are best manually metered.

John Wiegerink · Jun 28, 2013

Poisson Du Jour said:
The film advance "problem" is a weakness of design. It's plastic-against-metal and does wear out over time, albeit not helped by aggressive winding. Pentax makes a point of winding on in one smooth continuous and firm stroke, no jerking or yanking or broken stroke. There are many tiny moving parts in that mechanism and just one needs to break before there is no winding action at all there is so much interdependence under the skin. Somewhere online is an Engineering and Service Manual for the Pentax 6x7 and 67 bodies which gives you an idea what service folk were up against. The winding mechanism weakness is purported to have been addressed in the modernised (67ii) bodies. As with everything, how you treat it will determine how well you service it. It's a nice kit indeed. The 55mm f4 is the absolute standout in what you have. The 67ii will likely make a better job of exposures shot with a polariser; with the 6x7 and 67 bodies, polarised shots are best manually metered.

I agree with all the above. When I was in my camera dealing days the main problem I would see with 67 and 6X7 Pentax cameras that people wanted to swap/trade/sell was the battery power situation or next inline was the wind problem. Knock on wood, I have never had a problem with either of my bodies, but one does and has had from the day I bought it, a slight "click" noise at the end of the winding stroke. It has no effect on spacing, but it always bothers me. Knowing that makes me be well aware to advance in one long smooth stroke. I don't know what the last version of the 55mm is like, but if it is better than my second version it must be outstanding 'cause the second version I have is very, very good. Truth is I haven't run into any "dogs" in all the lenses I have and I really haven't heard of to many people complain about bad lenses or worse yet, lens variation. I guess Pentax had a good QC program. I bet in a very short while you'll be adding more lenses and if you watch they do turn up with very fair prices also. Have fun, JohnW

mindthemix · Jun 28, 2013

Poisson Du Jour said:
The film advance "problem" is a weakness of design. It's plastic-against-metal and does wear out over time, albeit not helped by aggressive winding. Pentax makes a point of winding on in one smooth continuous and firm stroke, no jerking or yanking or broken stroke. There are many tiny moving parts in that mechanism and just one needs to break before there is no winding action at all there is so much interdependence under the skin. Somewhere online is an Engineering and Service Manual for the Pentax 6x7 and 67 bodies which gives you an idea what service folk were up against. The winding mechanism weakness is purported to have been addressed in the modernised (67ii) bodies. As with everything, how you treat it will determine how well you service it. It's a nice kit indeed. The 55mm f4 is the absolute standout in what you have. The 67ii will likely make a better job of exposures shot with a polariser; with the 6x7 and 67 bodies, polarised shots are best manually metered.

Tonight I will develop y first roll with the 55mm F4 lens and I'll post my keepers. As for the stroke and doing the Pentax way; one firm and smooth stroke to prevent any damage.

Thanks for the great feedback

mindthemix · Jun 30, 2013

Pentax 55mm F/4
HP5 400 (expired 2006)
Kodak HC-110 - Dilution 1:49 Time 8 Minutes @75F
Handheld 1/60

mindthemix · Jun 30, 2013

stevebarry said:
looking good. Are you hand holding it? If so how do you find the sharpness?

Thanks Steve. All shoot were handholding the camera. I'm learning on how the camera delivers in different situations and adjust the technique based on the keepers. I adjusted the camera strap to the length were it works really well as a tripod. I carry the camera on my left side with the strap resting on my right shoulder. I just grab the camera with my right hand to the eye level, and the strap locks perfectly. I use my left palm as a base while focusing. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong but it works great for me.

Pentax 67ii joins the Family

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